Many parents stop using booster seats for their children too soon. California law requires children stay in a child or booster seat until they are 6 years old or weigh at least 60 pounds. However, at that size, kids are still too small for an adult safety belt.
Calgary residents can check out Kidseat for more information about recycling expired seats at various Round-Up Clinics or Inspection Clinics. They promise to recycle or reuse any part of the seat possible, including metal, plastic and any other usable parts. Kidseat charges a recycling fee of $7 per car sear and an additional $2 for the base. You must also remove all fabric, foam and webbing.
So, why do car seats expire? There is actually more than one reason car seats expire. The first is due to the potential breakdown of the plastic components over time. With the varying temperatures we have, even just here in Cincinnati, the plastic goes through a variety of temperature changes over the life of the seat.